TRAINER Fulke Johnson Houghton and jockey John Reid, triumphant with 20-1 shot Sobriety in last Saturday's John Smith's Cup on Knavesmire, can continue their splendid form at Newbury tomorrow.

The duo will be represented by Roo in the Tote Jackpot Showcase Handicap, and I strongly fancy the three-year-old, runner-up in his last two races, to go one better.

Hampered at the start when runner-up to Aljawf at Ripon last month, Roo has since produced another rock-solid effort to be beaten only half-a-length by Pay d'Amour at Haydock.

Overdue a win, and from a stable in cracking form, Roo can find opportunity knocking here.

Penshiel looks the one to be on in the Newbury Handicap over two miles.

Placed with typical skill by John Dunlop, Penshiel has gone from strength to strength this season, winning handicaps at Beverley and Lingfield before being narrowly denied by Typhoon Tilly at Yarmouth last time in his hat-trick bid.

Tackling two miles for the first time tomorrow, Penshiel should be in his element. With Richard Quinn in the saddle, he should not be opposed.

Dunlop and Quinn can also land the £15,000 ANAC Sales Italian Thoroughbred Breeders Association Conditions Stakes with the promising Three Points, while Ed Dunlop, John's son, can confirm his return to form by winning the Levy Board Handicap with Surprise Encounter, another Reid mount.

On a day with six meetings, three in the afternoon and three in the evening, punters are spoilt for choice.

At Carlisle, Kevin Darley is the man to follow. The Sheriff Hutton jockey has a whole host of good rides, including the Sir Mark Prescott-trained pair Twilight World (4.10) and Alexandrine (4.40), both of whom have obvious claims.

Puppet Play, who finally got off the mark at Pontefract last week, can defy a 6lb penalty in the H&H Group Handicap.

Wafir, successful at Hamilton last week on his first outing for Tommy Cuthbert, can complete a quick double in the Burgh Barony Races Amateur Riders' Handicap. Trainer's daughter Helen Cuthbert again has the mount.

It is 'Red Shirt' charity night at Pontefract, where the featured £10,000 Antonia Deuters Handicap can fall to Premium Princess, trained at Settrington by John Quinn.

The five-year-old is overdue a win, but she had been in fine form recently, finishing in the frame in her last three races. Dean Mernagh has the mount tomorrow.

Jedd O'Keefe, who has just started training at Middleham, can notch his first success with Lullaby, a respectable runner-up at Chester last Friday, in the Victor Chandler Fillies' Handicap.

My Nap selection is at Hamilton, where Were Not Stoppin goes in the £15,000 Hamilton Park 2000 Handicap Series Final.

Much-improved since conquering his aversion to starting-stalls, Robin Bastiman's gelding can gain his fifth win of the campaign with Ollie Pears in the saddle.

Tomorrow's tips

NEWBURY

2.00 Man of Distinction, 2.30 Three Points, 3.00 Trumpington, 3.30 Divine Prospect, 4.00 Penshiel, 4.30 Roo, 5.00 Surprise Encounter.

CARLISLE

2.10 Cumbrian Harmony, 2.40 Friar Tuck, 3.10 Puppet Play, 3.40 Triple Wood, 4.10 Twilight World, 4.40 Alexandrine, 5.10 Wafir.

PONTEFRACT

6.40 Baccura, 7.05 Lullaby, 7.35 Premium Princess, 8.05 Young Rosein, 8.35 Rousing Thunder, 9.05 Oscar Pepper.

HAMILTON

8.15 Were Not Stoppin (Nap).